Portraits

[Ann Graham]

Hello Orange County Commissioners,

 

My name is Ann Graham and I spend much of my time researching family history and genealogy by traveling places that were important in the lives of my ancestors. Last week, I spent a number of days in Hillsborough. My great-grandfather was Augustus Washington Graham and he lived and practiced law there from 1872-1888 and was Mayor from 1876-1877. His office was in the old courthouse and I was excited to walk through the courthouse, see the original Judge’s bench and see the portraits of his father, William Alexander Graham and his uncle, John Washington Graham that were donated by family and hung on both sides of the Judge’s bench in the courtroom.

 

I was surprised to find that the portraits had been removed because “they had been slaveowners”. While I understand the opinion, William Graham represented Orange County in the General Assembly, was Governor of North Carolina, and served as Secretary of the Navy under President Fillmore; opening trade with Japan.

 

More troublesome, is that I can’t find out what happened to the portraits. While the Sheriff’s department told me they were removed by Public Works, Hillsborough Public Works and Orange County Asset Management (Public Works) had no record or knowledge of what happened to them.

I would so appreciate you investigating this and letting me know what happened to them. Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Ann Graham

ann...@msn.com

757-287-1251

[Caitlin Fenhagen]

Dear Ms. Graham,

 

We believe the portraits are indeed in the possession of our Asset Management Services department. Alan Dorman is the AMS Director and he is available to let you know where they are and to show them to you. Alan is copied on this email and you can also reach him at 919-245-2627.

 

Thank you for reaching out and I apologize for the misunderstanding about their location.

 

Best Regards,

Cait

 

Caitlin Fenhagen

Deputy Manager

Office: 919-245-2303

Mobile: 919-423-4272

Email: cfen...@orangecountync.gov

 

 

From: Ann Graham <ann...@msn.com>
Sent: Monday, March 2, 2026 11:25 PM
To: ALL_BOCC_MANAGER_CLERK <OCB...@orangecountync.gov>
Subject: Portraits

 

CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless verified. Report suspicious emails with the Phish Alert Button located on your Outlook menu bar on the Home tab.

[Jean Hamilton]

Dear Ann Graham,

 

On behalf of the Orange County Board of Commissioners thank you for bringing this issue to our attention. We are pleased that Deputy County Manager Cait Fenhagen was able to respond to your concerns about the location of the portraits so quickly.

 

Sincerely,

Jean

 

Jean Hamilton, Chair

Orange County Board of Commissioners

 

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From: Ann Graham <ann...@msn.com>
Sent: Monday, March 2, 2026 11:25 PM
To: ALL_BOCC_MANAGER_CLERK <OCB...@orangecountync.gov>
Subject: Portraits

 

CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless verified. Report suspicious emails with the Phish Alert Button located on your Outlook menu bar on the Home tab.

Hello Orange County Commissioners,

[Ann Graham]

Dear Ms. Fenhagen,

Thank you so much for your prompt response. Unfortunately, I live in Virginia and visited the Asset Management Services Department on 2/24/26 when I was still in Hillsborough.

I am glad to know that the portraits are safe and will reach out to Alan Dorman at your suggestion. 

Thanks again, Ann Graham

---

From: Caitlin Fenhagen <cfen...@orangecountync.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, March 3, 2026 10:46 AM
To: Ann Graham <ann...@msn.com>; ALL_BOCC_MANAGER_CLERK <OCB...@orangecountync.gov>
Cc: Alan Dorman <ado...@orangecountync.gov>
Subject: RE: Portraits

[Ann Graham]

Dear Ms Hamilton,

Thanks you for your quick response and support in locating the portraits.

Ann Graham

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From: Jean Hamilton <jham...@orangecountync.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, March 3, 2026 4:56 PM

To: Ann Graham <ann...@msn.com>; ALL_BOCC_MANAGER_CLERK <OCB...@orangecountync.gov>

Subject: Re: Portraits

 

[Alan Dorman]

Ms. Graham,

    You can reach me by email or on my mobile number below, day or night.

 

 

 

Thanks,

Alan Dorman

Mobile: 919-619-8859

[Ann Graham]

Thanks so much Mr. Dorman.

Ann Graham

---

From: Alan Dorman <ado...@orangecountync.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, March 4, 2026 7:29 AM
To: Ann Graham <ann...@msn.com>; Caitlin Fenhagen <cfen...@orangecountync.gov>; ALL_BOCC_MANAGER_CLERK <OCB...@orangecountync.gov>
Subject: RE: Portraits